Convertible automobile body



H. SMITH y 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY Y Filed July 22, 1955 May. 4, 1937.

May 4; 1937 H. SMITH CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledJuly 22, 1955 'nu l. il. w \\\MI,/ fm. f

ATTORNEY.

May 4, 1937. H. SMITH 2,079,232

" CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY I I Filed July 22, 1955 5 sheen-sheet 3NNON kvwn

BYv

ATTORNEY,

May 4, 1 937.

ATTORNEY.

* May 4,` 1937.

H. SMITH CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY Filed July 22,V 1935 5VSheets-Shes?J 5 INvE-NTQR,- Y1/aida@ ATTORNEY.

Patented May 4, 1937 enrico srmrssi' PAT-EN l 2,079,232

CONVERTIBLEAUTOMOB-ILE: BODYw Hinsdale Smith, SpringieldyMass.Application July Z2, 1935,'- SealfNO. 32,498r

17 Claims;

vThis inventionv relates` to improvements in' automobiles "and `isdirected4 more `particularlyA to improvements in automobile bodyA andtop 'construction.

The principal objects of thein'vention are'directed to the provision Lofaconvertible top'construction for an automobile which according to novelfeatures of constructionA and' arrangement" facilitates theready andeasy converting of the automobile from an' openl to closed type andviceversa.

According to one special feature of the invention, `the novel' topconstruction is characterized bfyfit's simplicity inform andeilicien'cy` in operation',- thusjmaking it possiblev for a singleperson with a minimum of effort to easily' and quickly manipulatethe"top"between extended and collapsed 'position According to" anotherspecial feature of the h-yinvention, the frame construction of the noveltop uisso constructed'and arranged that itsoperation and/ormanipulationis not affected by varying conditions ofthecoveringmaterial, thus obviating the difficulties of manipulation andtheobjections commonwitlr present' day tops "as l Where thev top'material shrinks to'make it difliA cult'to secure the forwardend of thetop construction tothe automobile.

According to 'furthennovelieatures of the invennen, the frameis--box-iike in' form at its for- Ward end so as to stiffen thestructure. This facilitates easy and ready manipulation of the topv andprovides a strong rigid structure.

Accordingv to a still further feature of the intl'ietop `structure ischaracterized by a i novelA arrangement of relatively movable frameforming parts wl'liclr whenA in collapsed relation' are nested compactlyso as to occupy but small space while means is provided tolfacilitateIread-yf movementof the-parts as Well as to support andreleasably holdltl'iemin collapsed and extended posi-tions.=

- Many' and various other novel featuresand advantages Vofith'einvention'` will, be hereinafter referredtoand' pointed outin theappended claims,

`Fig.- l'with so much of the automobileassocii ated therewith asisnecessary' to explairrtherinif vention;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional-fview 'onthe lin'ei 3-3iof Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional Viewon-the-line -4-4j of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a' vertical sectional viewon: the linerv 5;-5of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view' similarto Fig. 2' Withcertain parts of therfrarnestructure shown in` a'di'fferf ent relation;

Fig. l7 is a verticalsectional elevational viewon the line l-l*of Fig.2;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional elevational view similarto Figs; 2'and 6 showing the' parts" in another relative position;

Fig; 9 is a sectionalelevation'al view Von the" line 9=9of Fig. 7';

Fig; l0"`is a side" elevational vlewofcertaixry parts of the framestructure `at anenlarged scale to show novel details of construction;

Fig. 11 is an end elevational vievvl oftheparts shownin Fig; 10;

Fig. 12"is` a longitudinal sectional elevational vieWthrough the'rearpartof the automobile'zmd showing the frame member'soffthetoprin` acol'lapsed relation; Y

Fig. 14/ is a plarr'view4 of the rear partVV of the automobile and takenon thej line l4--I4 of Figi 2 to explain'certaindet'ailsoficonstruction;

Figs. 15and Al6'are fragmentary side velevational views of the frame'joint construction adja# cent the forward fend'of the'frame; andL Fig.'17 is avertioal sectional view on ll-Il of Fig. 15.

Referring noW 'tofthe' drawings more' in detaii'; the inventions'will befullydescribed'.y

In Fig; 1 an automobile is'shown at A""whi'chfor purposes of disclosureisY of tlrecollapsi'bfle sedan type. The windshield, whiclrserves-as asupport for theiforward end of" the topA structure, is represented' at2j the tonneau at lliand" the top including the'l novel features" oftheV in*- vention is representedgenerally by 61" According to thisinvention; the top-6which includes a covering C of some suitablematerial;-i is supported'- by'a novel'framei' This consists V:in ageneral Way of a plurality ofV members which as will be explained arearranged to moverelative to one another so that the framev may-ber disposedv in an extended position" where thetopj extends from. the tonneau4to' thefwindsliieldor aA collapsed positiorwhere 'the top is disposedat the lille' as in Figs. 2, 6, 8 and 12. It will be understood thatthere are duplicate sets of members at either side of the automobilesome of which are con-V nected to transverse bows and the like so that acomplete frame structure is provided. In operation the members atopposite sides of the automobile are moved simultaneously so that theframe or top may be moved between collapsed and extended positions.

A more detailed description will now follow with reference to theVarious figures of the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 2, the rear seat of the automobile is represented by 8and the back cushion by I 8, the said cushion being hinged as at I2 forswinging movements forward and back.

There are side posts I4 as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 12 andinterior trim members I6 are at opposite ends of the seat 8 andrearwardly of the door opening which is usual in automobile bodyconstruction. Shelves or supports I8 just rearwardly of the posts I4serve as supports for various parts as will be seen in Figs. 2, 6, 8 and14.

Locking hooks 28 are provided adjacent opposite ends at the upper sideof the back cushion I8. These are arranged when the cushion I is in itsrear position as shown in Fig. l2 for engagement with parts of the framestructure to hold the same in collapsed relation. The cushion I0 beinghinged as described may be moved forwardly to release the framestructure and rearwardly to coact with and lock the frame in collapsedposition.

In the form of the invention shown, there is a back bow member 22, amain bow member 24, a middle bow member 26 and a front bow or headermember 28. All of these extend transversely, all preferably more or lesscurved, and have their opposite ends connected to certain parts of theframe at either side of the automobile so that they col-operate with theother members to form a frame structure for supporting the top covering.

` The top covering represented by C will be of some exible material andextends from the front bow or header member 28 rearwardly. It issupported by the bow members 26, 24 and 22, and is secured in someconvenient manner to the tonneau or that part of the body at the rear ofthe automobile around the rear seat as well as to member 28. rIhe topmaterial is shown` by dot-dash lines for clearness and as stated some orall of the bow members 22, 24 and 26 may be curved more or less, as maybe desired.

Pillars 36 are xed to brackets 32 which are hinged at their lower endsas at 34 to the posts I 4 adjacent the ends of the rear seat 8. The bow`member 24 which, as explained, extends transversely has its oppositeends secured to the pillars 38.

It will be understood that those parts of thc frame at one side only ofthe automobile will be described since the parts at the other side areduplicate-s, the bow members and certain other parts being connected tocertain parts of the frame at both sides of the automobile.

A link 36 rearwardly of the pillar 30 is rigidly associated with anextension arm 38 on a member rotatable in a bracket 4I so that members36 and 38 swing simultaneously. A spring 42 preferably under more orless tension when the frame parts are in collapsed relation has one endxed to the end of the member 38 while its other end is xed to a bracket44. Stops 48 are carried by the shelves I8 to coact with stops 'I8 onmember 36 to limit the lowermost position of the frame parts when theyare in the collapsed relation shown in Fig. 12.

A link 50 is pivoted at 52 to the bracket 32 of post I4 and has on itsupper end a forwardly extending olset portion 54, which serves as ahandle for operating a certain locking mechanism shown clearly in Figs.10, 11 and 13. A link 56 is pivoted at 58 to pillar bracket 32 and alink 6D is pivoted at 62 to a bracket 64. The inner ends of these linksS and 68 are pivoted together at 66. A bow arm 68 has its upper endfixed to the member bow 22, and its lower end is journalled on a boltI0, associated with the member 5U. The parts 50 and 68 at both sides ofthe automobile and the bow member 22 form a complete bow.

A cam-like member '|2 is fixed to the member 58 by a rivet or pin 'I4and the bolt 'I8 and a roller 'I6 disposed between the members 50 and'l2 is journalled on said bolt 18. The inner end of link 68 rides onthis roller '18.

The cam member is provided with a throat (as shown in Fig. for receivingthe inner end of link 56 when the frame parts are in extended positionas shown in Figs. 2 and l0. 'I'he parts shown in Fig. 10 are what may becalled in locked position when the rearmost parts of the frame are inextended position. That is, the inner ends of members 58 and 68 beingpivoted together as they are, and the members 56 and 60 being so pivotedwith the end of member 56 in the throat of cam 'I2 and the end of member68 on roller I6 the parts are locked against accidental relativemovement and thereby rigidly support the parts connected to them.

When it is desired to collapse the frame the part 54 is moved rearwardlyor to the right or left, as shown in Fig. 10. This swings the cam 12clockwise disengaging end of member 56 from its throat so that theseparts 50, 56, 60 and 68 may move relative to one another into collapsedposition.

A bracket link 98 pivoted at |00 to the main bow 24 is olset, as shown,and has its forward end pivoted at 99 to member 88. A support |04extends from and is fixed to the link 98 (see Figs. 2 and 3) forreceiving and supporting certain of the parts when the frame is incollapsed relation.

The bow 26 may have on opposite ends side parts such as |86 (see Fig.8). Links |88 and H8 are pivoted at opposite ends to the part |06 andthe link 98. A bar II2 is pivoted at one end to a stud |82 projectingfrom bar 88 and a slot ||4 thereof receives a pin ||6 of the link |88.The stud I 82 extends inwardly from bar 88 to engage with the free end96 of spring 92, as will later appear. The members |08, IIIJ, I I2 andtheir connections with one another and bars and link 80, 88, and 98,allow the bow member 26 to move away from bar 88 from the position inFig. 2 to that in Fig. 8 so that forward bow 28 may swing downwardlyfrom the position shown in Fig. 8 past bow member 26.

A lock member |I8 (see Figs. 2 and 5) 1s associated with the bar 88 forco-operating with the 75 member" |28 isfprovided with` a notch'A |34"and? inclined surfaces I 36"-at eitherside thereoffwhiclr' arqliwadialp`ed to"abi1t the* surface |325A In" Fig;I 15 l thepart's arershown asthey-appear when the" ff'a'rne"'isin extendedrelation. IrrFig.` 1li"rthe party-arei shownA asrthe` frame is rrstmoved' to"collapsed-position.` Theblock` and member 22j'swing lon'lpivot|26*'simu1t`aneous1yand'relae tive to the bar 88. The bar |28 swings onpivot" 25 |2`4-` Tliepivot` |24isswung` relativeto pivot |26 byyswi'ngin'gjthe` block |30 and part |22 on" pivotl:

The endof member"|28"being notched as at |34"`all`ows"swinging movementsof 'the blocli |30'A an'dimember |28'Lb`etween the positions shown 'in'Figs; `15j and?` 16" because' the said'v notch |34 "ree cei'vestlieend'onn'ose 8910i bar 88"as shown in Figi 16.`

The construction described provides what may be calledaftoggle'joint.`Thisis""desirableirr positioning` theV partsl in their extendedposition. For-"the: purpose of"clearness; itfwillv be' explainedthatwh'en the topfhas'been movedtotheposition sl'ow-iti` in Fig; 61where'the part' |28 extends 'more or'less upwardly, the pivot |24'isvthenv somewhat forwardly of 'the pivot' |26. Then member |28" in'gorengaging` meansassociated therewith isl positioned somewhat" forwardlyor" beyond the. eoacnngiocinngmeans on-the windshield.- Wththelockingmeans thus positioned," member" |20"andlb1ock" |30 are" swung to movepivot i 24@rearwardlyA orV to position 'it "below pivot |26i` y isengages tl'ie'loclzmgA means; Thestructure 5.0 provides a` means ofpositioning the locking` rneansonthe forward end of theframe beyond thecoaotingflocking means on' the windshield and`then retracting the end ofthe frame'to in@ ysure a secure locking of the said locking'means.`Tlelockingmeans referred to. will'nowbede'- scribed with particularreference to Figs; 21 6 and'.' Y Brackets orho'oks. |36areassociatedwith the`vv` wwinds'hield" at Vits upper corners'whichhaveup= Wardly extending flanges |381 The bar member' |28"'at`eitherside ofithe automobile has'on its forwarden'da hook' |40" arrangedto rest on the brackets |36 andli'e" behindand brin'g'upagainstl trieparts lthere'of; When members l|28 swing; downwardly 'so"th'at' hook|40' rests on hook |36# the' hook'is forwardlyofiflange |38'.A As pivoty|2'4*` is swung" rearwardly, hook 40 bringsup against' the flange |38 tosecurely lock the forwardien'd` of thei frame` Ato the "Windshieldf Abar" |5"0"is fixed` to' block' |30 Landris secured' at" it"s"forward-`end to" front header or bow member'28: The saidbars |50; headerZBLandblockff movefto'getherwhentherblock is movedby membe r""l 20to"move"tlre"position' of pivot 24 relative to "pivot-12s:

Y pes-ite; sides sofi the` frame f structure connected1A as 'i functionas the Ameans for V'securing the extended@ frame^to-thewindshield.`

Meansfforrlocking the forwardbow ox" header 2`8^to" thewindshield`wi11fnowl be" described with particular referencettorFigs.'ll and 9. 35

Arotatable memberl |54is journalled- `in A.bearings |56 and'|60associated with'the header'ibar 28n andA has' oif'setend portionsST'carrying rollersv-` |581H A handle I-I isl fixed to the member"|54as` A shown; Theparts'a're so arranged that Athe rollers 30 |50fmaybeswung beneath and inv engagement"` with they locks |38 to pullthe-front* headerf28f downwardly-L into place'Y and releasably lock the=same tothe windshield. U

In Fig. 2' the'parts-are shown when the framev 3D structure is inextended" relation with theftop covering 'material properly tensionedarrd'exten'di r ingrearwardly-fromV the-front header bow 28 over* the`other'bows- 26, 24 and22"'to the tonneau;u

TheV operationlof the parts to `collaps=,\"tl1`e struw 'i turewill noWbedescribed;

A11' theApartsl are in their-locked'position in Fig; 2.' Tormove theframe partsto a: collapsed posi-f tion; the handleI-I'iis'swungawayjfromthewinde, shield"v tok movel the parts 58" from beneath the? 45parts |38. The 'operating member |20"'is; swungj clockwise to movepivots |24 forwardly ofpivot's' |26`-1releasinglocking parts||||l"-ar1dl2|"V andreleasing the box-like frame atthe' forwardend.'of"`y frame Structure from the windshieldi Thememe 50- lo'erW |20''is swungto position header 28^"assh`own" approximately inFig. 6.- The handlesA5410i -rneni`v bers `fnfatVy the rear' portion of the t frame structure"areJ alsomoved'clockwise to breakif tl'iejoints and permit relativemovements of members 50,68, 56i'" 55"- and60'; This movement ofhandls54ireleas`es the en'd 1of A linkf'56' from' the 'throat of Vcam T2so pivot" 66'1`mayi mov'erforwardly and-pivot110idownwardly:

From theposition shown in Fig.- 6 barm'embersA 8811are swung upwardly orclockwisev relative tor 60 bars wand-bars are` movedrearwardly Atoswingt pillars 30 and links 36' clockwise to some-position' such asshownini-Fig. 8;'

Ih this position 'thebars' |08' and I0 associated with-th`e bow-26L areswung away-from bar vmerrr-` 65` bers"88until the' pins' ||6'*of" 1inks"|08 reach' the'` ends-ofslots|`44"of'membersI H2L This positions? bow.v26 so that'thel forward headerA bow28'lf'may" passforwardly thereof.Continued movementsof the" parts consists" in, swinging the members 88"`70 clockwise and moving members "80E rearwardly" to swing pillars 30uclockwise, the studs |02'bringingy upagainst freeendsA 9650i springs 92-The pzafrts"- finally'-oometorest inthefully collapsed re1ation="-`shown inFigi- 12"E wherein' the stops 'l'tof'I links-i175".

36 rest on stops 46 and members 88 rest on the supports |84 of links 98.In this position the members 88 and the parts associated therewith aresupported by supports 04.

When in collapsed position the back rest I of the seat is swungrearwardly so that the locking hooks 28 thereof engage the hooks ||8 toreleasably hold the parts in collapsed position. Asl

the frame parts approach their collapsed position, the back I6 of theseat may be moved forward slightly so that when the parts are in theircollapsed or nested position the parts |28, |58 and forward bow 28 aredisposed behind the seat as shown in Fig. 12.

It will be noted when the frame parts are moved to collapsed positionthat the stud |02 engages the end 96 of the spring 92. This tensions thespring so that it tends to urge the link 88 upwardly away from link 8D.The spring 42 is also tensioned more or less. This is very desirablebecause when it is desired to move the frame to extended position and asthe seat is moved forwardly to release the locking devices, the springsassist in facilitating the easy and ready movement of the frame to itsextended position.

It is an easy matter for one person to move the structure betweencollapsed and extended positions. A person may stand in the tonneau orany convenient place in the automobile to manipulate the frame. To movethe frame to its extended position, the back of the seat is movedforwardly a slight distance to release the frame partsand the member |28is grasped and swung upwardly and over. The springs 92 tend to cause themembers 88 to swing relative to the members 80 while the springs 42 tendto move the rear part of the structure toward extended position. Whenthe parts are moved approximately in the position shown in Fig. 6, themembers |28 are swung downwardly to locate lock parts |48 on lock parts|38 and then the member |28 is swung forwardly or counterclockwise tobring the pivot |24 below pivot |26 locking parts |48 and |36 andsimultaneously swinging forwardheader 28 down into final positionwhereupon the handle H is pulled downwardly to carry the rollers |58beneath the locks |36.

, While I have described the vinvention in great detailA and withrespect to a. preferred form thereof, it is not desired to 4be limitedthereto since many changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. What it is desiredto claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1s:

1. The combination in a vehicle of, a frame including a plurality ofpivoted together members, certain of which are pivoted to the rearportion of said vehicle, whereby said members may be moved betweencollapsed position at the rear of said automobile and an extendedposition, locking means associated with certain of said members and theforward part of said automobile engageable when said members are invextended position, and swinging means to position said locking meansforwardly of their point of engagement and then to move a part of themeans rearwardly to engage said locking means.

2. The combination in a vehicle of, a plurality of pivoted togethermembers, certain of which are pivoted to the rear portion of saidVehicle whereby said members may be moved between collapsed relation atthe rear of said automobile and an extended relation, supporting meansadapted to be engaged by certain members when the members are incollapsed relation, supporting means associated with certain of saidmembers against which other members abut whereby the latter aresupported, locking means for said members when in collapsed relation andspring means urging the members against said locking means and intoextended relation, the said locking means including a back rest movableon said vehicle between locking and nonlocking position having a lockingmember over; lying said frame when in collapsed relation.

3. The combination in a vehicle of, a body having a top supportforwardly thereof, locking means associated therewith, a frameconsisting of pivoted together members certain of the rearmost ones ofwhich are pivoted to the rear part of said body, swinging end membershaving engaging means for engaging the said locking means, andconnections between said end members and certain of the frame membersadapted to facilitate forward and backward movements of said engagingmeans relative to the locking means and to bring them into lockingengagement therewith.

4. The combination in a vehicle of a body having a top support forwardlythereof, locking members on said support, a frame including a pluralityof pivoted together members, the endmost members thereof being providedwith engageable members and pivotal connections between said endmostmembers and the next adjacent members permitting the former to swingforwardly to carry thel engageable members beyond engagement with thelocking means and then to move the same rearwardly'to engage saidmembers.v

5. The combination in a vehicle of, a body having a forward support, aframe including endmost members and adjacent members, the endmostmembers and said support having engageable locking means, pivotalconnections between said endmost members and the adjacent membersincluding blocks to which adjacent ends of said members are separatelypivoted whereby the said blocks and endmost member may swing forwardlyrelative to said adjacent members to position said engaging means forengagement and the blocks may be swung rearwardly to move the endmostmembers rearwardly for engagement of said means and means to swing saidblocks.

6. The combination in a vehicle of, a body having a forwardtop support,a frame including endmost members and adjacent members and pivotalconnections therebetween, the endmost members and said support havingengageable locking means, the pivotal connections between said endmostmembers and the adjacent members including blocks to which adjacent endsof said members are pivoted whereby the endmost members may swingforwardly relative to said adjacent members to position said engagingmeans for engagement and the blocks may be swung to move the endmostmembers rearwardly for engagement of said means, and means carried bysaidblocks for swinging the same and supporting a forward bow wherebythe said bow is positioned simultaneously with movement of said block.

7. The combination in a vehicle of, a body and a windshield forwardlythereof, a lock on said windshield, a frame including pivoted togethermembers certain of which members are pivoted to said body at the rearportion thereof, certain forward members having locks at forward endsengageable with the first-named locks, connec- "l asthe-locksare'brought'into'locking engagement.

' 8. The combination-cfa body and forward `support nbf an automobilewith sa topconstruction w"comprising,"a frame composed of members" con-1-nectedforrelative movements between collapsed `and extending-positions and-"including forward Imer'nbersfalockparton saidsupport,`the said 'fforwardr members 'having a 4lock -part toengage ftherlock-part on -said support, connectionsfbetween said forward membersandV adj acentmembers of said' framencluding blocky members and pivotalconnections betweenthe'rear endscf the :forward-members and'blockmembersandpivotal co-rmeetions betweenfhe forward ends 'ofWthe adjacent'members tand ,block Vmembers kdisposed to lfacilitate the `-rst-namedVpivotal connection jbeing swung4 forwardly relative "to the second-`named. 'pivotal connectionsfor positioning the 1o`ck,;part ofthe'forward frame membersbeyond the lockpart of the `supportandthenrearwardly ,to engagesaidjloclgparts,u and means to limit theswinging movements 'of the :first-named 'pivotal connections rearwardly.

"Qr'Ihe combination ofan automobile body and windshield with a topconstruction comprising, a frame including pivotedj'together memberscer- `tain` ofwhichare pivoted to said body, forward "members,engageable'locks associated with the forward members and windshield,pivotal con- ,nectionsfbetween the forward members .and ad- ;,jacentmembers of the vframes disposed' tQ permit ithe, *forward members to;beswung forwardly of the adjacent members to position the engageable locksbeyond theirpoint of engagement and, then rearwardly' to engagethem,`members associated ",with.said..connections carrying a header bow,andlocking means associated with said windshield and bo-w,.all adaptedand arranged whereby the forward members andv header bow maybe simul-"taneously, positioned for locking to the windshield.

'10." The combination of an automobile body and ,.wind'shieldfwitha'top` .structure comprising, Ya "frame including endmembers andadjacent membersA oneachside bisaid body, a' locking member on saidwindshield, a locking member engageable 5 therewith on the forward endof said end member, blocks, pivotal connections between the forward endsof the adjacent members and blocks whereby said blocks may swingrelative to the adjacent members, and pivotal connections between theblocks and rear ends of the end members, the said pivotal connectionsbeing arranged whereby the last-named connections may be swung to aposition forwardly of the first-named connections whereby the endmembers are extended and the locking members may be positioned beyondtheir point of engagement and then swung rearwardly to retract the saidend members and bring the locking members into locking engagement.

11. The combination of an automobile body and windshield with a topstructure comprising, a frame including end members and adjacent memberson each side of' said body, a locking member on said wind-shield, alocking member engageable therewith on the forward end of said end mem-'berj'blocks; pivotal `connections between the lforjjwa'rd endsofthe-adjacent'members and blocks Iwhereby 'saidL blocks may swingrelative `to "the adjacent members, pivotal connections between adjacent`ends `of therend and 4adjacent members being i provided with engagingparts which are l-engaged Lwhen the -erid-` members are locking positionwhereby-each end member 1 and adjacent `member arefrigidly held.`

12. The combination of an automobile'fbo'dy andwin'dshield with a topstructure comprising* a frame including end i members and adjacentmembers on each side of said-body, a'locking member on saidwindshield,a-locking `member engageable therewith Aon the lforward endof said -endmember, blocks, pivotal connections between the forward ends'of theadjacent members `and blocks whereby `said blocks may -swing relative4to the `adjacent members, pivotal connections Abe'- tWeen theblocksandrear `ends of the end members, the said pivotal'connections being`arranged v'vhereby the last-named connections'may be `'swung toaposition forwardly-of the rst-n'arned v'connections wherebyv theendmembers are extended and the lockingA members may bepositioned'beyond their Vpoint of engagement `and then swung`rearwardlylto retract the'said end members and bring the lockingmembers; into 4locking engagement, and a" transverse member connectingsaid blocks to bring about ,simultaneous SW'ngingmOVements thereof. v, l13. The combination of anv automobile l`body and windshield "withra'top-structure comprising,

`-`a frame including end members and `adjacent 'members on eachside `ofsaid body, ja locking member "on 'said windshield, a locking vmemberengageable `therewith on 'the forward end of said -endmemben blocks,pivotal connections'between the'forward ends of the adjacent membersandblocks whereby said'blocks may swing relative to the adjacentmembers,pivotal connections be- *tweenv the 'blocks and rear ends vof the` end`members, the said pivotal connections being arranged ywhereby thelast-named connections maybe swung toa positionlforwardlyof thelfirst-named connections whereby the end members are extended and thelocking members may be positicned beyond their point of engagement andthen swung rearwardly to retract the said end members and bring thelocking members into locking engagement, and separate members extendingfrom said blocks carrying on their ends a transverse bow adapted to lieadjacent said windshield, the said members disposed on said blocks toposition said bow adjacent the windshield when the end members are inretracted position.

14. The combination of an automobile body and windshield with a topstructure comprising,

a frame including end members and adjacent members on each side of saidbody, a locking member on said windshield, a locking member engageabletherewith on the forward end of said end member, blocks, pivotalconnections between the forward ends of the adjacent members and blockswhereby said blocks may swing relative to the adjacent members, pivotalconnections between the blocks and rear ends of the end members, thesaid pivotal connections being arranged whereby the last-namedconnections may be swung to a position forwardly of the first-namedconnections whereby the end members are extended and the locking membersmay be positioned beyond their point of engagement and then swungrearwardly to retract the said end 10 members and bring the lockingmembers into locking engagement, separate members extending from saidblocks carrying on their ends a transverse bow adapted to lie adjacentsaid windshield, the said members disposed on said blocks to positionsaid bow adjacent the windshield when the end members are in retractedposition, and locking means associated with said bow and windshield forholding the bow in position adjacent thereto. 15. The combination of anautomobile body and windshield with a top structure comprising, a frameincluding end members and adjacent members on each side of said body, alocking member on said windshield, a locking member engageable therewithon the forward end of said end member, blocks, pivotal connectionsbetween the forward ends of the adjacent members and blocks whereby saidblocks may swing relative to the adjacent members, pivotal connectionsbetween the blocks and rear ends of the end members, the said pivotalconnections being arranged whereby the last-named connections may beswung to a position forwardly of the first-named connections whereby theend members are extended and the locking members may be positionedbeyond their point of engagement and then swung rearwardly to retractthe said end members and bring the locking members into lockingengagement, separate members extending from said blocks carrying ontheir ends a transverse bow adapted to lie adjacent said windshield, thesaid members disposed on said blocks to position said bow adjacent thewindshield when the end members are in retracted position, locking meansassociated with said bow and windshield for holding the bow in positionadjacent thereto, and a transverse member connecting said blocks wherebythe said member, blocks, upper members and bow form a rectangular rigidframe. 16. The combination of an automobile body and windshield with atop structure comprising, a, frame including end members and adjacentmembers on each side of said body, a locking member on said wind-shield,a locking member engageable therewith on the forward end of said endmember, blocks, pivotal connections between the forwardends of theadjacent members and blocks whereby said blocks may swing relative tothe adjacent members, pivotal connections between the blocks and rearends of the end members, the said pivotal connections being arrangedwhereby the last-named connections may be swung to a position forwardlyof the first-named connections whereby the end members are ex-v tendedand the locking members may be positioned beyond their pointofengagement and then swung rearwardly to retract the said end membersand bring the locking members into locking engagement, a transversemember connecting said blocks to bring about simultaneous swingingmovements thereof, side members extending from said blocks adapted tolie adjacent the end members, a transverse bow member carried thereby,and a transverse member carried by said blocks, the said transversemember, side members and blocks forming a rigid rectangular frame.

17. The combination of an automobile body and windshield with a topstructure comprising, a frame including end members and adjacent memberson each side of said body, a locking member on said wind-shield, alocking member engageable therewith on the forward end of said endmember, blocks, pivotal connections between l the forward ends of theadjacent members and blocks whereby said blocks may swing relative tothe adjacent members, pivotal connections between the blocks and rearends of the end members, the said pivotal connections being arrangedwhereby the last-named connections may be swung to a position forwardlyof the rst-named connections whereby the end members are extended andthe locking members may be positioned beyond their point of engagementand then swung rearwardly to retract the said end members and bring thelocking members into locking engagement, a transverse member connectingsaid blocks to bring about simultaneous swinging movements thereof, sidemembers extending from said blocks adapted to lie adjacent the endmembers, a transverse bow member carried thereby, a transverse membercarried by said blocks, the said transverse member, side members andblocks forming a rigid rectangular frame, and locking means on thetransverse bow for securing to the windshield whereby the rigid framemay be secured thereto.

HINSDALE SMITH.

